July 6, 2013, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Many days ago, I sat worried in our cabin, wondering how on earth we would entertain our family for their annual vacation (which included nieces aged 13 and 9). What food would they eat, what food would be available, would they be bored, would we have enough time?

We picked the four of them up at Providenciales, Turks and Caicos on Sunday. On Monday, we dropped Jane off at an apartment in town (Tony left for New York) to give her a break from shenanigans and allow us some quality time with the crew.

Sibling and Crew (from L-R): Michele, D, Serena and Mya

Today, I look back on our adventures with D, Michele, Serena and Mya and can only think of the laughs, smiles and poked fishes swimming un harmed in the ocean…sand dollars are not in the safe family, but they endured and I believe some sand dollars remain in the greater bank area.

Listening to the laughter, the constant state of play (which turned into a great workout for us – different from our daily sailing life) and experiencing our home through their eyes, we enjoyed swimming around the boat while at anchor, jumping off the pontoons (enough that porthole had to be closed to prevent splashes), learning how to shower off the back of the boat, star-gazing on the trampoline, late night photo sessions, we even managed to sneak in a couple of Pixar movie favorites (Lilo and Stich and Finding Nemo). An experience on On Delay in a foreign land would not be complete without enjoying some of the Caribbean foods including: fresh coconut (meat and milk), breadfruit, conch, lulo and maracuya cocktails, Jamaican Patty’s, coconut bread, and even callaloo, so many things and they tasted it ALL!

He DID it! After a few days getting his sea legs, D took the plunge…and here is the proof.

Everyone rode in the helm seat and maneuvered us through channels and shallows. Mya became the anchor maven with Auntie Gayle and Serena was the mistress of the tack with Uncle Pete. D spent time becoming one with the ocean (and even jumped off the boat to swim – SEVERAL times), Michele and Pete sailed together…siblings don’t get to do that, too often. At least I know where Serena and Mya got there mermaid genes.

Watching the Chart Plotter, Uncle Pete shows Serena how to drive the boat.

They came, and spent time with us, experiencing our life, and us, enjoying theirs. These opportunities don’t come often and when they do, we get to take advantage and relish the memories.

We visited the Hole and on the way out, were chased by rabid dogs!

At some point in life (most of it really), I became very sappy. Then, we get family visits and I get sappier!

List of favorites:

1. Barnacle Bob takes a Swim
2. Conch in All Forms (Soup, Fritters, Cracked)
3. Dinghy Shenanigans
4. Jojo Bay
5. Jumping from the Front of the Boat
6. Obsessions with Fresh Coconuts
7. Snuba for Sand Dollars
8. Spending Time with Family
9. Splash Seat while Sailing
10. Sunflower Seeds
11. The Hole and the Rabid Dogs